Apparatus and method for producing an enriched medical suspension

ABSTRACT

A medical fluid suspension generating apparatus includes a Venturi-agitating tip assembly, a source of pressurized chemical solution, a source of a medical solution, and a dual lumen catheter connecting the Venturi-agitating tip assembly to the source of pressurized chemical solution and the source of the medical solution.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/653,635, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FORPRODUCING AN ENRICHED MEDICAL CONTRAST SUSPENSION,” filed Apr. 6, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus and process for producing anenriched medical suspension.

2. Description of the Related Art

The present invention utilizes the Venturi effect to produce an enrichedmedical suspension for use in various applications. The apparatus of thepresent invention is simple to manufacture and use because it does notrequire an impeller and incorporated fan in order to create and dispensethe enriched medical suspension.

The Venturi effect is an example of Bernoulli's principle, in the caseof incompressible fluid, flow through a tube or pipe with a constrictionin it. The fluid velocity must increase through the constriction tosatisfy the equation of continuity, while its pressure must decrease dueto conservation of energy; the gain in kinetic energy is supplied by adrop in pressure or a pressure gradient force.

The limiting case of the Venturi effect is choked flow, in which aconstriction in a pipe or channel limits the total flow rate through thechannel because the pressure cannot drop below zero in the constriction.Choked flow is used to control the delivery rate of water and otherfluids through spigots and other types of valves. The portable apparatusof the present invention utilizes a source of pressurized medical fluid,to produce the desired pressure and flow for the effective creation ofan enriched medical suspension.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide amedical fluid suspension generating apparatus including aVenturi-agitating tip assembly, a source of pressurized chemicalsolution, a source of a medical solution, and a dual lumen catheterconnecting the Venturi-agitating tip assembly to the source ofpressurized chemical solution and the source of the medical solution.

It also an object of the present invention to provide a medical fluidsuspension generating apparatus wherein the source of pressurizedchemical solution includes a compressed medical fluid unit.

It another object of the present invention to provide a medical fluidsuspension generating apparatus wherein the source of the medicalsolution includes a syringe.

It a further object of the present invention to provide a medical fluidsuspension generating apparatus wherein a micro-hose connects the sourceof pressurized chemical solution to a first lumen of the dual lumencatheter.

It also an object of the present invention to provide a medical fluidsuspension generating apparatus wherein the source of the medicalsolution is connected to the second lumen of the dual lumen catheter.

It another object of the present invention to provide a medical fluidsuspension generating apparatus wherein the syringe includes a one-wayvalve.

It a further object of the present invention to provide a medical fluidsuspension generating apparatus wherein the Venturi-agitating tipassembly includes a spray tip.

It also an object of the present invention to provide a medical fluidsuspension generating apparatus wherein the spray tip includes outletsoriented such that an enriched medical suspension is sprayed at an angleof 25 degrees to 65 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of theVenturi-agitating tip assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when viewed inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certainembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a compressed medical fluid unit in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suspension delivery catheter and asyringe containing a medical solution.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C respectively show a longitudinal cross sectionalview, a perspective view, and a perspective cross sectional view of aVenturi-agitating tip assembly in accordance with a first embodiment.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D respectively show a perspective view, alongitudinal cross-sectional perspective view, an exploded view, and alateral cross-sectional view of a Venturi-agitating tip assembly inaccordance with a second embodiment.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E respectively show a perspective view, anexploded view, a front partial cross-sectional view, a rear partialcross-sectional view, and a lateral cross-sectional view of aVenturi-agitating tip assembly in accordance with a third embodiment.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F respectively show a side view, a topview, a detailed side view, a perspective view, a longitudinal crosssectional view, and a lateral cross section view showing an embodimentof a Venturi-agitating tip assembly in accordance with a fourthembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein.It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments aremerely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpretedas limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the arthow to make and/or use the invention.

Referring to the various figures and embodiments, the medical fluidsuspension generating delivery apparatus 100 for performing medicalprocedures includes a Venturi-agitating tip assembly (variousembodiments of which are described below) composed of a multi-channelarrangement at a proximal first end thereof and a tip at a distal secondend thereof. The delivery apparatus 100 also includes a compressedmedical fluid unit 1 fluidly connected to the multi-channel arrangementat the proximal first end of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly and amedical solution 19 fluidly connected to the multi-channel arrangementat the proximal first end of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly.Pressurized chemical solution 18, from the compressed medical fluid unit1, and the medical solution 19 are combined within the Venturi-agitatingtip assembly in a manner generating an enriched medical suspension 21that is ultimately dispensed from the suspension delivery apparatus 100.The enriched medical suspension 21 is then sprayed from theVenturi-agitating tip assembly. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, outlets at the tip of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly areoriented such that the enriched medical suspension 21 is sprayed at anangle of 25 degrees to 65 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, relative tothe longitudinal axis of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly to ensurethe enriched medical suspension 21 is sprayed directly onto the innerwall of the lumen being treated and is not entrained within the fluidflowing in the lumen. This prevents the need for the application of theenriched medical suspension 21 down the middle of the lumen and waitingfor the enriched medical suspension 21 to disperse out to the inner wallof the lumen. While the various embodiments disclosed below show theVenturi-agitating tip assembly with three (3) outlets, it iscontemplated as many as 16 outlets may be positioned about the tip ofthe Venturi-agitating tip assembly for spraying the enriched medicalsuspension. Further still, it is appreciated the outlets may be coveredwith membranes enhancing delivery of the enriched medical suspension. Amethod in accordance with the apparatus is also disclosed.

With reference to FIG. 1 the compressed medical fluid unit 1 isdisclosed. The compressed medical fluid unit 1 includes a compressiblesyringe 12 containing chemical solution 18 for dispensing from an outlet20 of the syringe 12. The syringe 12 includes a one-way valve 22 at itsoutlet 20 to ensure that chemical solution 18 from the syringe 12 onlyflows out of the syringe 12.

With reference to FIG. 2, the entire delivery apparatus 100 is shown.The suspension delivery catheter 2 includes a dual lumen catheter 260connecting a Venturi-agitating tip assembly 280 to the pressurizedchemical solution 18 from the compressed medical fluid unit 1 and amedical solution 19 from a syringe 290. The syringe 290 includes aone-way valve 291 at its outlet to ensure that medical solution 19 fromthe syringe 290 only flows out of the syringe 290. The suspensiondelivery catheter 2 includes a first end (or distal end) 262 having theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 280 and a second end (or proximal end)264 to which the compressed medical fluid unit 1 and the syringe 290 arefluidly connected for the passage of the pressurized chemical solution18 and the medical solution 19. As will be appreciated based upon thefollowing disclosure, the dual lumen catheter 260 is connected to theVenturi-agitating tip assembly by securing the Venturi-agitating tipassembly 280 to a first lumen 272 and a second lumen 274 of the duallumen catheter 260, respectively. The provision of the Venturi-agitatingtip assembly 280 at the very end of the catheter allows for the mixingof the pressurized chemical solution 18 and the medical solution 19immediately adjacent the discharge point.

A micro-hose 256 connects the compressed medical fluid unit 1 to thefirst lumen 272 of the dual lumen catheter 260 at a proximal first end266 of the dual lumen catheter 260 for the transmission of thepressurized chemical solution 18 from compressed medical fluid unit 1 tothe Venturi-agitating tip assembly 280. As such, pressurized chemicalsolution 18 leaving the compressed medical fluid unit 1 enters the firstlumen 272 of the dual lumen catheter 260 via the micro-hose 256. Afterpassing through the first lumen 272 of the dual lumen catheter 260, thepressurized medical chemical solution 18 enters the Venturi-agitatingtip assembly 280 of the suspension delivery catheter 2. As will beexplained below in greater detail, the medical suspension 21 composed ofthe chemical solution 18 and the medical solution 19 generated at theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 280 is directly applied to a vein orartery requiring treatment with the medical suspension 21.

As to the connection of the medical solution 19 to the suspensiondelivery catheter 2, the medical solution 19 is delivered to the secondlumen 274 of the dual lumen catheter 260 at the proximal first end 266thereof, and ultimately to the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 280, via acontainer, in particular, the syringe 290, connected to the second lumen274 of the dual lumen catheter 260 by a supply line 216. As mentionedabove, the syringe 290 includes a one-way valve 291 at its outlet toensure that medical solution 19 from the syringe 290 only flows out ofthe syringe 290, preventing reflux back into the syringe 290 or thecompressible syringe 12 of the compressed medical fluid unit 1. Afterpassing through the second lumen 274 of the dual lumen catheter 260, themedical solution 19 from the syringe 290 travels into theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 280 where it is combined with pressurizedchemical solution 18 from the pressurized medical fluid unit 1 to forman enriched medical suspension 21.

The Venturi-agitating tip assembly 280 results in the spray of theenriched medical suspension 21 at an angle relative to a central axis ofthe Venturi-agitating tip assembly 280. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, and as will be discussed below with regard to the variousembodiments of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 280, theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 280 includes outlets 228 directing theenriched medical suspension 21 at an angle of 25 degrees to 65 degrees,preferably 45 degrees, relative to the central longitudinal axis of theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 280. By orienting the outlets at an angleas disclosed herein, the enriched medical suspension 21 is directedtoward the walls of the vessel in which it is being dispensed.

It is appreciated various tip assemblies and enriched medical suspensiongenerating structures may be employed in accordance with the presentinvention. In accordance with a first embodiment as shown with referenceto FIGS. 3A-3C, the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 380 employs a Venturiarrangement with a mixing chamber 324. The Venturi-agitating tipassembly 380 has a proximal first end 380 a and a distal second end 380b. The Venturi-agitating tip assembly 380 includes a hollow cylindricalelongated body 310 having a proximal first end 312, which coincides withthe proximal first end 380 a of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 380,and a distal second end 314. The proximal first end 380 a of theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 380 includes a multi-channel arrangement381 including first and second inputs 316, 318 for attachment to thedual lumen catheter 360. The first and second inputs 316, 318respectively lead to a first channel 320 and a second channel 322 of themulti-channel arrangement 381 of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 380.The first and second channels 320, 322 lead to, and are in fluidcommunication with, a mixing chamber 324 (which also forms part of themulti-channel arrangement 381) located in the central portion 326 of theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 380, that is, between the proximal firstend 380 a and the distal second end 380 b. Located at the distal secondend 380 b of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 380, and secured to thedistal second end 314 of the elongated body 310, is a spray tip 328directing the enriched medical suspension in a spray pattern onto theinner lumen of a vessel.

The first channel 320 and the second channel 322 are interconnected in amanner creating a Venturi effect causing the pressurized chemicalsolution to effectively pull the medical solution through the secondchannel 322 and into the mixing chamber 324. This is achieved byproviding with the first channel 320 with a reduced diameter as itextends from the proximal first end 312 of the elongated body 310 (thatis, the first end 320 a of the first channel 320) to the central portion326 of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 380 (that is, the second end320 b of the first channel 320). In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the diameter of the first channel 320 decreases from adiameter of 0.038 inches adjacent the proximal first end 312 of theelongated body 310 to a diameter of 0.017 inches adjacent the mixingchamber 324.

As mentioned above, the second channel 322 is in fluid communicationwith the first channel 320. This is achieved by the provisional of atransverse channel 330 connecting the second end 320 b of the firstchannel 320 with the second end 322 b of the second channel 322. Inparticular, the second channel 322 includes a first end 322 a adjacentthe proximal first end 312 of the elongated body 310 and a second end322 b adjacent the mixing chamber 324 (although not directly in fluidcommunication with the mixing chamber 324) and the transverse channel330. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the diameter of thesecond channel 322 is 0.031 inches and remains consistent as it extendsfrom the first end 322 a thereof to the second end 322 b thereof.

The first lumen 372 of the dual lumen catheter 360 supplies thepressurized chemical solution and the second lumen 374 supplies themedical solution. As such, the first lumen 372 is connected to, and influid communication with, the first channel 320 of the Venturi-agitatingtip assembly 380 and the second lumen 374 is connected to, and in fluidcommunication with, the second channel 322 of the Venturi-agitating tipassembly 380. In practice, the medical solution from the syringe 290travels through the second lumen 374 of the dual lumen catheter 360 andinto the second channel 322 when pressurized chemical solution entersthe first channel 320 and passes the transverse channel 330 as it flowsinto the mixing chamber 324 after being actuated and released from thecompressed medical fluid unit 1. The pressurized chemical solutionentering, and passing through, the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 380imparts negative pressure on the medical solution in the syringe 290 anddraws the medical solution from the syringe 290 through the secondchannel 322, through the second lumen 374 of the dual lumen catheter360, through the transverse channel 330, and into the mixing chamber 324due to the Venturi effect. The medical solution and the pressurizedchemical solution are then mixed within the mixing chamber 324 to forman enriched medical suspension. The syringe plunger 290 p is used toregulate or stop flow of medical solution of chemical solution from thesyringe 290.

The pressurized chemical solution and medical solution mixing in themixing chamber 324 are then forced through the spray tip 328 from whichthe enriched medical suspension is sprayed upon the inner lumen of avessel. The spray tip 328 includes a plurality of outlets 328 a orientedat an angle of 25 degrees to 65 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, relativeto the central longitudinal axis of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly380. The force of the pressurized chemical solution traveling throughthe Venturi-agitating tip assembly 380 and exiting through the spray tip328 as part of an enriched medical suspension projects the enrichedmedical suspension from the distal second end 384 of theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 380 as a spray and onto the inner lumenof a vessel.

In accordance with a second embodiment as shown with reference to FIGS.4A-4D, a Venturi-agitating tip assembly 480 employs a spray tip 428 inconjunction with a multi-channel arrangement 481 where the pressurizedchemical solution and medical solution are mixed and forced through thespray tip 428. The Venturi-agitating tip assembly 480 includes aproximal first end 480 a and a distal second end 480 b. TheVenturi-agitating tip assembly 480 includes a hollow cylindricalelongated body 410 having a proximal first end 412, which coincides withthe proximal first end 480 a of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 480,and a distal second end 414. The Venturi-agitating tip assembly 480 isadapted for use with a dual lumen catheter 460, in particular a duallumen catheter having concentric lumens, wherein the outer first lumen472 is annular shaped for the passage of pressurized chemical solution(and has an outer diameter of 0.092 inches at the outer wall thereof andan inner diameter of 0.042 inches at the inner wall thereof) and theinner second lumen 474 is circular shaped for the passage of the medicalsolution (and has a diameter of 0.030 inches). The inner second lumen474 is supported within the outer first lumen 472 by first and secondradially extending rib members 473 a, 473 b (each having a thickness of0.006 inches) that extend from the outer surface of the second lumen 474to the inner surface of the outer first lumen 472. In this way the outerfirst lumen 472 is divided into first and second semicircularpassageways 475 a, 475 b.

The proximal first end 480 a of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 480,in particular, the proximal first end 412 of the elongated body 410 isformed with two projections 432, 434 shaped and dimensioned forengagement within the outer first lumen 472 of the catheter 460 in amanner blocking a substantial portion of the outer first lumen 472. Thetwo projections 432, 434 are arcuate members shaped and dimensioned torespectively block substantial portions of the first and secondsemicircular passageways 475 a, 475 b while creating four smallpassageways 436, each of approximately 0.031 inches (along the Y-axis asshown in FIG. 4D) by 0.050 inches (along the X-axis as shown in FIG. 4D)for the passage of pressurized chemical solution therethrough. The foursmall passageways 436 are defined by spaces existing between the edgesof the arcuate members 432, 434 and the first and second radiallyextending rib members 473 a, 473 b.

The remainder of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 480 includes acentral mixing chamber 424 that is in fluid communication with thesecond lumen 474 and the four small passageways 436 feeding pressurizedchemical solution from the first lumen 472. Secured to, and closing off,the second end 414 of the elongated body 410 is a spray tip 428, whichis thereby at the distal second end 480 b of the Venturi-agitating tipassembly 480. Attachment of the spray tip 428 to the elongated body 410is achieved by providing the spray tip 428 with a projection 438 thatseats within the opening at the second end 414 of the elongated body410.

The first lumen 472 and the second lumen 474 are interconnected in amanner causing the pressurized chemical solution to effectively pull themedical solution through the second lumen 474 and into the mixingchamber 424. In practice, the medical solution from the syringe 290travels through the second lumen 474 of the dual lumen catheter 460 andinto the mixing chamber 424 when pressurized chemical solution passesthrough the four small passageways 436 and enters the mixing chamber 424(where the medical solution from the syringe 290 and the pressurizedchemical solution mix to form an enriched medical suspension) afterbeing actuated and released from compressed medical fluid unit 1. Thepressurized chemical solution entering, and passing through, the mixingchamber 424 imparts negative pressure on the medical solution in syringe290 and draws the medical solution from the syringe 290 through thesecond lumen 474 and into the mixing chamber 424. The syringe plunger290 p is used to regulate or stop flow of the medical solution from thesyringe 290.

The pressurized chemical solution and medical solution mixing in themixing chamber 424 are then forced through the spray tip 428 from whichan enriched medical suspension is sprayed upon the inner surface of alumen. The spray tip 428 includes a plurality of outlets 428 a orientedat an angle of 25 degrees to 65 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, relativeto the central longitudinal axis of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly480. The force of the pressurized chemical solution traveling throughthe Venturi-agitating tip assembly 480 and exiting through the spray tip428 as part of an enriched medical suspension projects the enrichedmedical suspension from the distal second end 484 of theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 480 as a spray and onto the inner lumenof a vessel.

In accordance with a third embodiment as shown with reference to FIGS.5A-5E, a Venturi-agitating tip assembly 780 employs a tip 728 inconjunction with a multi-channel arrangement 781 where the pressurizedchemical solution and medical solution are mixed to form an enrichedmedical suspension and forced through the tip 728. The Venturi-agitatingtip assembly 780 includes proximal first end 780 a and a distal secondend 780 b. The Venturi-agitating tip assembly 780 includes a hollowcylindrical elongated body 710 having a proximal first end 712, whichcoincides with the proximal first end 780 a of the Venturi-agitating tipassembly 780, and a distal second end 714. The Venturi-agitating tipassembly 780 is adapted for use with a multi-lumen catheter 760, inparticular a triple lumen catheter having parallel lumens, wherein thefirst and second lumens 772, 773 are circular shaped (each with adiameter of 0.039 inches) and are dimensioned for the passage ofpressurized chemical solution and the third lumen 774 is semi-circularshaped (with a radius of 0.047 inches) and is dimensioned for thepassage of the medical solution.

The proximal first end 712 of the elongated body 710 at the proximalfirst end 780 a of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 780 includesfirst, second and third inputs 716, 717, 718 for attachment to themulti-lumen catheter 760. The first and second inputs 716, 717 lead to afirst channel 720 and the third input 718 to a second channel 722. Assuch, the proximal first end 712 of the elongated body 710 at theproximal first end 780 a of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 780 isformed with two circular tubular projections 732, 734, defining thefirst and second inputs 716, 717. The circular tubular projections 732,734 (each with an inner diameter of 0.027 inches and an outer diameterof 0.039 inches) are shaped and dimensioned for engagement within thefirst and second lumens 772, 773 of the catheter 760 in a mannerallowing for the flow of fluid from the first and second lumens 772, 773and into the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 780. The two circulartubular projections 732, 734 are shaped and dimensioned to fit withinthe first and second lumens 772, 773 while maintaining passageways forthe passage of pressurized chemical solution therethrough.

The first and second channels 720, 722 lead to, and are in fluidcommunication with, a mixing chamber 724 located in the central portion726 of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 780, that is, between theproximal first end 712 and the distal second end 714 of the elongatedbody. Secured to the distal second end 714 of the elongated body 710,and positioned at the distal second end 780 b of the Venturi-agitatingtip assembly, is a tip 728 having three outlets 728 a, 728 b, 728 cextending from the mixing chamber 724 to the exterior at the distal endof the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 780 at an angle of 25 degrees to65 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, relative to the central longitudinalaxis of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly 780.

The first channel 720 and the second channel 722 are interconnected in amanner creating a Venturi effect causing the pressurized chemicalsolution to effectively pull the medical solution through the secondchannel 722 and into the mixing chamber 724. This is achieved byproviding the first channel 720 with a reduced diameter (decreasing from0.038 inches to 0.017 inches) as it extends from the proximal first end712 of the elongated body 710 (that is, the first end 720 a of the firstchannel 720) to the central portion 726 of the Venturi-agitating tipassembly 780 (that is, the second end 720 b of the first channel 720).In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the firstchannel 720 decreases from a diameter of 0.038 inches adjacent theproximal first end 712 of the elongated body 710 to a diameter of 0.017inches adjacent the mixing chamber 724.

As mentioned above, the second channel 722 is in fluid communicationwith the first channel 720. This is achieved by the provisional of atransverse channel 730 connecting the second end 720 b of the firstchannel 720 with the second end 722 b of the second channel 722. Inparticular, the second channel 722 includes a first end 722 a adjacentthe proximal first end 712 of the elongated body 710 and a second end722 b adjacent the mixing chamber 724 (although not directly in fluidcommunication with the mixing chamber 724) and the transverse channel730. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the diameter of thesecond channel 722 is 0.047 inches and remains consistent as it extendsfrom the first end 722 a thereof to the second end 722 b thereof.

The first and second lumens 772, 773 supply the pressurized chemicalsolution and the third lumen 774 supplies the medical solution. As such,the first and second lumens 772, 773 are connected to, and in fluidcommunication with, the first channel 720 of the Venturi-agitating tipassembly 780. The third lumen 774 is connected to, and in fluidcommunication with, the second channel 722 of the Venturi-agitating tipassembly 780. In practice, the medical solution from syringe 290 travelsthrough third lumen 774 of multi-lumen lumen catheter 760 and into thesecond channel 722 when pressurized chemical solution enters the firstchannel 720 and passes the transverse channel 730 (having a size of0.020 inches) into the mixing chamber 724 after being actuated andreleased from compressed medical fluid unit 1. The pressurized chemicalsolution entering, and passing through, the Venturi-agitating tipassembly 780 imparts negative pressure on the medical solution insyringe 290 and draws the medical solution from the syringe 290 throughsecond channel 722, through the third lumen 774 of the dual lumencatheter 760, and into the mixing chamber 724 due to the Venturi effect.The syringe plunger 290 p is used to regulate or stop flow of medicalsolution from the syringe 290.

The pressurized chemical solution and medical solution mixing in themixing chamber 724 form an enriched medical suspension that is thenforced through the outlets 728 a-c of the spray tip 728. The force ofthe pressurized medical chemical solution traveling through theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 780 and exiting through the spray tip 728as part of an enriched medical suspension projects the enriched medicalsuspension from the distal second end 784 of the Venturi-agitating tipassembly 780 as a spray and onto the inner lumen of a vessel.

While the outlets of the spray tip in the embodiments disclosed abovewith reference to FIGS. 3A-C, FIGS. 4A-D, and 5A-E are positioned alonga forward portion of the spray tip, it is appreciated the outlets of thespray tip could be positioned along the outer circumferential wall ofthe spray tip as shown in FIG. 2. Through the utilization of eitherposition for the outlets, the enriched medical suspension is sprayedfrom the Venturi-agitating tip assembly onto the inner lumen of avessel.

For example, and with reference to FIG. 6A-6F, a fourth embodiment withoutlets 928 a of the spray tip 928 positioned along the outercircumferential wall 929 of the spray tip 928. Those portions of theVenturi-agitating tip assembly 920 proximal to the spray tip 928, forexample, the mixing chamber 924, the first channel 920, and the secondchannel 922 are the same as found in the embodiment disclosed withreference to FIGS. 3A-3C. However, the spray tip 928 includes aplurality of circumferentially oriented outlets 928 a positioned so asto dispense the enriched medical suspension through the outercircumferential wall 929 of the spray tip 928.

In accordance with the various embodiments described above, the enrichedmedical suspension exiting the Venturi-agitating tip assembly isdirected to a vessel requiring treatment. In accordance with a preferredembodiment, the method for treatment in accordance with the presentinvention is achieved in the following manner. The first end of thesuspension delivery catheter, that is, Venturi-agitating tip assembly isintroduced into a diseased/varicosed vein requiring treatment such thatthe first end of Venturi-agitating tip assembly is positioned beyond thesection of vein requiring treatment. The second end of the deliverycatheter is coupled to the compressed medical fluid unit and thesyringe. At this point, the compressed medical fluid unit is actuated tosupply pressurized chemical solution to the suspension delivery catheterand an enriched medical suspension is produced at the Venturi-agitatingtip assembly of the suspension delivery catheter. The enriched medicalsuspension sprays from the first end of Venturi-agitating tip assemblyinto the section of vein requiring treatment. For example, and where theenriched medical suspension includes a sclerosant for the destruction ofa diseased vein, as the catheter is withdrawn from the vein, theenriched medical suspension is sprayed into the vein at various segmentscausing the vein to go into spasm resulting in eventual destruction ofthe diseased vein. Where the present invention is used in the treatmentof the arterial or venous system without the goal of spasm or vesseldestruction, the enriched medical suspension is sprayed, or otherwisedelivered, as required for the procedure being performed.

It is appreciated this procedure can be performed under ultrasoundguidance or radiograph in order for the physician to control the amountof liquid to mix with the pressurized chemical solution to form theenriched medical suspension.

In addition to the treatment of diseased veins as discussed above, thepresent suspension delivery catheter may be used in the treatment ofvarious vascular ailments. The potential treatments that may employ thepresent suspension delivery catheter include, but are not limited to thefollowing, oncology medical solutions, microbeads, magnetic beads orparticles for thrombus treatment, metallic beads or particles forthrombus treatment, embolics, driving drugs through the blood-brainbarrier for neurological conditions, driving or delivering TPA (TissuePlasminogen Activator) for thrombolytic usage, etc.

It is appreciated that where microparticles are used in conjunction withthe enriched medical suspension composed of the chemical and medicalsolutions, saline may be used with the microparticles, so as to placethe microparticles into suspension.

While this detailed description has set forth particularly preferredembodiments of the apparatus of this invention, numerous modificationsand variations of the structure of this invention, all within the scopeof the invention, will readily occur to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is understood that this description is illustrative onlyof the principles of the invention and is not imitative thereof.

Although specific features of the invention are shown in some of thedrawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as each featuremay be combined with any and all of the other features in accordancewith this invention.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it willbe understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by suchdisclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications andalternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A medical fluid suspension generatingapparatus, comprising: a Venturi-agitating tip assembly including aproximal first end, a distal second end, and a central portion betweenthe proximal first end and the distal second end, the Venturi-agitatingtip assembly also includes a first channel, a second channel, a mixingchamber located in a central portion of the Venturi-agitating tipassembly, and spray tip at the distal second end of theVenturi-agitating tip assembly, the first channel and the second channelbeing interconnected in a manner creating a Venturi effect causing thepressurized chemical solution to effectively pull a medical solutionthrough the second channel and into the mixing chamber, the spray tiphaving outlets oriented at an angle of 25 degrees to 65 degrees relativeto a longitudinal axis of the Venturi-agitating tip assembly such thatan enriched medical suspension is sprayed at an angle of 25 degrees to65 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the Venturi-agitating tipassembly; a source of pressurized chemical solution connected to thefirst channel; a source of a medical solution connected to the secondchannel; a dual lumen catheter connecting the Venturi-agitating tipassembly to the source of pressurized chemical solution and the sourceof the medical solution.
 2. The delivery catheter according to claim 1,wherein the source of pressurized chemical solution includes acompressed medical fluid unit.
 3. The delivery catheter according toclaim 2, wherein the source of the medical solution includes a syringe.4. The delivery catheter according to claim 3, wherein a micro-hoseconnects the source of pressurized chemical solution to a first lumen ofthe dual lumen catheter.
 5. The delivery catheter according to claim 4,wherein the source of the medical solution is connected to the secondlumen of the dual lumen catheter.
 6. The delivery catheter according toclaim 3, wherein the syringe includes a one-way valve.
 7. The deliverycatheter according to claim 1, wherein the source of the medicalsolution includes a syringe.
 8. The delivery catheter according to claim7, wherein the syringe includes a one-way valve at its outlet.
 9. Thedelivery catheter according to claim 1, wherein a micro-hose connectsthe source of pressurized chemical solution to a first lumen of the duallumen catheter.
 10. The delivery catheter according to claim 9, whereinthe source of the medical solution is connected to the second lumen.